Recently, I was introduced to an Industrial Supply Association (ISA) member Precision that intrigued and piqued my curiosity. Their firm works closely on Category Management teams on programs and issues, and that got me thinking about that crucial side of the business in detail. As a former Category Management leader for a few billion-dollar distributors that got my … [Read more...] about Category Management is a big word and a big opportunity for Industrial Channel Leaders
Research Reports
Earnings Update – Kennametal and Lawson Products
Analysis on the recent earnings releases from ISA Members Kennametal and Distribution Solutions Group (ISA member Lawson Products is part of Distribution Solutions Group). Kevin Coleman - Channel Marketing Group Trends Analyst tracks the leading Industrial Manufacturers and Distributors in the space for Industrial Supply Trends and had an overview below on two ISA members … [Read more...] about Earnings Update – Kennametal and Lawson Products
MDM-NAW Shift highlights Data Analytics the key to market share growth
Modern Distribution Management (MDM) Shift event was held last week (May 13-15th in Englewood, Colorado). The event has continued to evolve over the past 9 years, and it was once again attended by who's who of distribution leaders. As an attendee and speaker, it has been fun to watch the event grow. Many leading distributors also presented at MDM Shift ranging from large … [Read more...] about MDM-NAW Shift highlights Data Analytics the key to market share growth
Grainger – Stanley Black and Decker – WESCO Q1 Earnings from 3 publicly traded ISA members – IST analysis
This past week plus three publicly traded Industrial Supply Association Members shared quarterly earnings, and we wanted to share the quick highlights on the releases from Grainger, Stanley Black and Decker and WESCO. Grainger Q1 2025 Earnings Grainger announced 1Q25 earnings on May 1, 2025 of sales of $4.3 billion, up 1.7%, or 4.4% on a daily, constant currency … [Read more...] about Grainger – Stanley Black and Decker – WESCO Q1 Earnings from 3 publicly traded ISA members – IST analysis
Beating the Industrial Distribution Competition with Speed
Recently I saw information promoted by a company called Mydatafactory as I saw ad advertorial written by them that intrigued me as it spoke to how industrial distribution could compete more effectively. Rarely do you see software companies that understand distributor issues. They typically understand the issue solely from the perspective of how their tool can help distributors. … [Read more...] about Beating the Industrial Distribution Competition with Speed
Why is B2B Distribution like making Orange Juice?
This week I have been preparing for two excellent conferences that I am speaking at in the next 2-3 weeks (Enable Catalyze and MDM SHIFT) and talking with channel leaders on calls… It’s an uncertain time in the business that has many leaders somewhat paralyzed or in a wait and see attitude on what to do for the balance of 2025. In this uncertain time keep I keep finding my way … [Read more...] about Why is B2B Distribution like making Orange Juice?
Competing, and Winning, in a Tariff Induced World
It appears the initial tariff volleys have ended and we’re in for trench warfare for the next 60-90 days while deals get negotiated. The Eastern front will remain volatile given neither party will whisper “uncle” given that China is launching asymmetrical warfare as it broadens the issue from goods to services (which was to be expected.) Given that the word “decoupling” is … [Read more...] about Competing, and Winning, in a Tariff Induced World
Fastenal Sales Segmentation Insights – Opinion
It is unusual for a large B2B publicly traded distributor to share details at the level Fastenal has recently provided during their Investor Day, their quarterly results, and annual report. In this column we will cover Fastenal's recent releases on Sales, Customer Segmentation, and their Focus 40 program. We follow them closely on Industrial Supply Trends as they are one of … [Read more...] about Fastenal Sales Segmentation Insights – Opinion
Q1 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey Results are In
Industrial Supply Trends is pleased to introduce a new service to the industrial supply channel … our Pulse of Industrial Supply report. Launched last month, the Pulse of Industrial Supply, sponsored by William Blair, is a quarterly report. Each quarter we’ll survey distributors, manufacturers, and manufacturer representatives to gather insights into the past quarter, … [Read more...] about Q1 Pulse of Industrial Supply Survey Results are In
The world of industrial customer segmentation in 2025
This past month, I have been going through old boxes of work material and coming across some foundational material on customer segmentation and pricing that I used as a distributor. I found in the archives my personal pricing Encyclopedia Britannia (the Complex) and the Texas A&M Industrial Distribution Customer Stratification Model (the Simple) and it made me think … [Read more...] about The world of industrial customer segmentation in 2025
